SA seek to stamp authority

Pakistan and South Africa will be up against each other once again, for the 12th time this year as the first ODI kicks off at Cape Town. Call it an overdose, both teams know that the more number of ODIs they play, the better it is with the 2015 World Cup coming round the corner. The 3 ODIs are more vital for Pakistan rather than the hosts, this will be their last opportunity to play on surfaces that resemble the surfaces on which the World Cup will be played.

Things are interesting from the hosts' perspective as well. Jacques Kallis, who last played a One Day match against New Zealand on February 29th, 2012. The versatile all-rounder has been closely monitored by the team management ever since the legendary all-rounder expressed his desire to feature in the 2015 WC. Kallis has won almost all the prizes that Test cricket offer, but he knows that his place amongst the echelons of cricketers can be sealed only by winning the big slice of cake that cricket can offer, the Cricket World Cup.

Cape Town is also the home city of Kallis, and it will be only appropriate that the home town makes his comeback into the shorter format of the game in front of his supporters.

South Africa: While the ODI series against Pakistan was arranged in haste, South Africa know that these three games will help evaluate their position ahead of more difficult series coming up against India and Australia. They just beat Pakistan by an impressive 4-1 margin in the just concluded ODI series at the UAE, and will start firm favourites. With the addition of Kallis, the hosts suddenly look extremely strong in all the departments of the game. Graeme Smith, who missed out of the ODI matches with a head injury, is also back into the reckoning. With the batting loaded with heavy-weights, the hosts should be considered as the massive favourites.

With Dale Steyn back to his peak form in the UAE ODIs, the bowling attack looks incisive and threatening. Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel have formed an excellent support cast. Pakistan struggled against the spin of Imran Tahir who has quickly established himself as the lead spinner. Add to their superlative fielding. South Africa have all the bases covered as they head into their home season.

Pakistan: The visitors halted their six match losing streak by beating the Proteas in the second T20I at this very ground. With the World Cup closing by, the visitors will recognise these matches as valuable match practise in overseas conditions. Pakistan's problem has been their lacklustre batting in recent times. Shoiab Maqsood played only 2 ODIs and he was the most impressive of the Pakistan batsmen, notching up 2 fifties. Ahmed Shahzad and Misbh-ul-Haq were consistent, but the rest floundered to deceive.The likes of Umar Akmal and Umar Amin struggled, but the team management has shown their faith by retaining them in the squad.

If the batting combination looks hazy, bowling continues to remain Pakistan's strong point. They will however miss the services of lanky pacer, Mohamad Irfan, who has left out after suffering a hip injury during the T20I series in Dubai. In his absence, the onus will be on the shoulders of Junaid Khan and Sohail Tanvir. Spin is Pakistan's forte and the combination of Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez can cause damage to the hosts.

Pitch and Conditions:

A sunny day is forecast for Cape Town and conditions should be warm and player friendly. The wicket at Cape Town is usually very good for batting.

Quotes:

There is no substitute for the experience he brings to the game - JP Duminy has welcomed the return of Jacques Kallis to the South Africa line-up.

It's always great to do well for Pakistan and that I was able to contribute to the victory. Misbah is here and Shafiq is here so hopefully it all remains the same for the ODIs - Mohammad Hafeez, after Pakistan won the 2nd T20I.

The 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman replaces Faf du Plessis, who will rest a lower back problem that has also ruled him out of the first four weeks of the Indian Premier League, where he plays for the Chennai Super Kings.